Cross this side off your to-cook list
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Taryn Pire/Dasha Burobina for PureWow
The holidays—aka The Cooking Olympics—will be here before you know it. With the biggest hosting days of the year ahead, why not make your to-do list a little shorter? For instance, you can consider these turkeys to order online, a few easy Thanksgiving appetizers (or impressive Ina Garten recipes) and, most importantly, lean on a store-bought gravy instead of making one from scratch. After all, you already have a bird, pumpkin pie, biscuits and stuffing to worry about.
Store-bought gravy tends to be pretty affordable, and there are a ton of options for a variety of dietary needs. Even better, you can often make a store-bought gravy even tastier with pan drippings on the big day. To narrow your search, here is the best store-bought gravy you can buy for every need, according to my food editor-reviewed taste test. (Just think, with the time you’ve saved by sticking to this shortcut, you might be able to whip up a few finger foods or those fancy appetizers that you pinned and vowed to make years ago.)
The Best Store-Bought Gravy at a Glance
1
Best Store-Bought Gravy Overall
Trader Joe’s Ready-to-Use Turkey Gravy
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2
Best Store-Bought Gravy for Turkey
Heinz Homestyle Turkey Gravy
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3
Best Store-Bought Gravy for Chicken
Bell’s Chicken Gravy
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4
Best Store-Bought Gravy for Beef
Knorr Au Jus Gravy Mix
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5
Best Store-Bought Gravy for Mashed Potatoes
Campbell’s Turkey Gravy
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How I Chose the Best Store-Bought Gravy
Taryn Pire/Dasha Burobina for PureWow
Each gravy was prepared according to package instructions for fair testing. Before I dive into my favorites, here’s how I determined the best store-bought gravy for every palate:
- Value: Is the gravy worth the money given how it tastes and what’s in it?
- Ease of Use: How simple is the gravy to prepare? Are there any fussy steps or extra ingredients required?
- Quality: Are the ingredients high quality? Does the gravy contain any weird preservatives or additives?
- Consistency: Is the gravy gloppy or gelatinous? Rich and creamy? Runny and thin?
- Flavor: Does the gravy taste good? Does it taste like its package claims it does?
Read on for the nine best store-bought gravies, according to my taste test.
- Value: 20/20
- Ease of Use: 20/20
- Quality: 19/20
- Consistency: 19/20
- Flavor: 18/20
TOTAL: 96/100
This ridiculously easy gravy from your grocery store boo (there are a ton of Trader Joe’s Thanksgiving products to add to your cart this year, BTW) tastes like stuffing and chicken noodle soup combined. It’s perfectly creamy without solidifying after sitting for a few minutes, and its flavor is deliciously nostalgic. Turkey fat in the base gives it the signature poultry taste you seek, while onion powder and spices impart cozy autumn flavor. Potato flakes and tapioca starch (not AP flour, gluten-free friends) thicken it just right. If there isn’t a TJ’s by you, you can order a pack of two on Amazon instead, but it’ll cost you more than buying it in the store.
Fast Facts
- Style: ready-made
- Servings: 8
- Value: 19/20
- Ease of Use: 20/20
- Quality: 18/20
- Consistency: 18/20
- Flavor: 17/20
TOTAL: 92/100
You can’t go wrong with a savory, mild pick—like this turkey gravy from Heinz—when it comes to dressing a holiday bird. It’s chicken broth-like in flavor, thick without being gloppy and just salty enough to pair with poultry without overpowering the bird. Turkey broth and bits of turkey meat are in the gravy, along with chicken fat and wheat flour for thickening. It’s a tad bland, but just right for a generously seasoned roast bird.
Fast Facts
- Style: ready-made
- Servings: 6
- Value: 19/20
- Ease of Use: 20/20
- Quality: 18/20
- Consistency: 18/20
- Flavor: 18/20
TOTAL: 93/100
I love Bell’s boxed stuffing mix because it’s affordable, well seasoned and serves a crowd, so I was excited to try the brand’s gravy. This pick is just right for chicken, since it tastes like herby chicken noodle soup. The main ingredients are chicken stock (made with chicken fat, dried onion and spices), wheat flour, barley flour and corn starch. It can be prepped on the stove or in the microwave, and the jar serves five people. It’s slightly jelly-like at room temperature, but once it’s heated, it’s totally drizzleable.
Fast Facts
- Style: ready-made
- Servings: 5
- Value: 19/20
- Ease of Use: 19/20
- Quality: 18/20
- Consistency: 17/20
- Flavor: 18/20
TOTAL: 91/100
If you and yours aren’t a turkey family and prefer a non-traditional Thanksgiving dinner, you may be cooking roast beef or steak instead. That means you’ll need a darker gravy that’s designed for beef, not poultry. This pick from Knorr is like a cozier, more intensely seasoned brown gravy. Made with mushroom juice, onion and soy sauce for depth and umami, the au jus-inspired topper is a bit runny, but I don’t think that’s as big a con for roast beef or steak. (It mainly serves as a flavor booster, rather than a source of decadence.)
Fast Facts
- Style: dry mix
- Servings: 5
- Value: 17/20
- Ease of Use: 20/20
- Quality: 18/20
- Consistency: 18/20
- Flavor: 17/20
TOTAL: 90/100
Saltier and more boldly seasoned than other turkey gravies on my list, this Campbell’s pick is prime for drizzling over mashed potatoes or stuffing. Its flavor is more robust than its competitors, so it can zhuzh up just about any plain side dish you can think of. (In my opinion, it might be a little too salty to serve over turkey, depending on how you prepare the bird.) Note: Don’t let its initial texture turn you off. The gravy thins out once it’s heated and reduces to a just-thick-enough consistency.
Fast Facts
- Style: ready-made
- Servings: 5
- Value: 20/20
- Ease of Use: 19/20
- Quality: 17/20
- Consistency: 19/20
- Flavor: 17/20
TOTAL: 92/100
Don’t judge a gravy by its packaging—this packet mix from McCormick is surprisingly tasty, sort of like stuffing, thanks to rosemary and sage extractives, turkey powder and onion. This bargain buy only needs water and a few minutes of stirring to thicken, and it’s not gloppy in the least. If you’re really pressed for time on the big day, you can even prepare it in the microwave. (Don’t worry, I won’t tell your guests.)
Fast Facts
- Style: dry mix
- Servings: 4
- Value: 19/20
- Ease of Use: 19/20
- Quality: 18/20
- Consistency: 19/20
- Flavor: 18/20
TOTAL: 93/100
If you’re going the meatloaf route (or want something that will take your mashed or roasted potatoes to the next level), look no further than this brown gravy mix from Southeastern Mills. It’s savory, beefy and delightfully oniony. Texture-wise, it’s creamy and rich without being jelly-like or gloppy. I think it’d also taste great on pork chops or roast beef.
Fast Facts
- Style: dry mix
- Servings: 13
- Value: 17/20
- Ease of Use: 20/20
- Quality: 20/20
- Consistency: 18/20
- Flavor: 18/20
TOTAL: 93/100
Nutty and sweet (thanks, cashew butter), this Primal Kitchen accompaniment is velvety and rich, despite being free of both gluten and dairy. The vegan gravy is packed with wintry herbs, which shine through alongside onions and Portobella mushrooms. I wish it was a little thicker in consistency, but it’s not runny either. If you have plant-based or wheat-sensitive guests at the table, look no further.
Fast Facts
- Style: ready-made
- Servings: 6
- Value: 17/20
- Ease of Use: 19/20
- Quality: 20/20
- Consistency: 19/20
- Flavor: 19/20
TOTAL: 94/100
If it weren’t for the steep price tag, I’d be tempted to make this Williams Sonoma gravy base my top choice. It’s sweet and deeply oniony, sort of like if you added cream to French onion soup. The prep instructions for this gravy base call for milk instead of water so it’s a little fussier and pricier to make, but very worth it. It’s made with caramelized onions, onion purée, butter, thyme, rosemary and natural maple flavor. (In other words, it couldn’t be more autumnal.) This one would taste especially great on mashed potatoes, green beans or stuffing, and you can bet I’d drag a biscuit or roll through whatever drippings were left.
Fast Facts
- Style: gravy base
- Servings: 8
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do You Make Store-Bought Gravy Better?
There’s no shortage of tasty ingredients that you can add to this essential side to make it more delicious. You can go the route of pan drippings (if you’re already roasting turkey, chicken or beef, you’re in business, but you can also fry some bacon specifically for infusing the gravy). Wintry spices—like nutmeg or ground ginger—and herbs (fresh or dried thyme, sage and rosemary are good places to start) are also easy mix-ins. You can also brighten a gravy for poultry with fresh lemon juice, vinegar or even white wine.
What Is the Secret to Good Gravy?
In terms of texture, you want it to be silky smooth, thick without being gloppy and lump-free. This is easier to accomplish with store-bought mixes and ready-made gravies because you won’t need to make a roux from scratch. The trick is to whisk or stir constantly as it cooks, especially if you start with a powdered mix.
How Long Does Store-Bought Gravy Last?
It varies by brand and ingredients, but generally speaking, you can keep gravy in the fridge for three to four days, says the USDA. You can also freeze the leftovers for four to six months.
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